September was a much bigger month for catalog mailings than August, but volume fell short of September 2007 mailings, according to the Catalog Tracker service of the list firm Direct Media.
Catalog Tracker received 322 catalogs in September, which was 61% more than it received in August. But the volume was 16% less than the 381 Catalog Tracker logged in September 2007.
The biggest drop in catalogs mailed this September vs. last was in the apparel and accessories titles: Catalog Tracker received 135 titles within this category in 2007, but just 112 in 2008.
Free shipping promotions soared this time period, as mailers looked to get customers to stimulate the economy. While 10% offered the incentive last September, 16% offered free shipping in September 2008.
Deferred billing promotions decreased even before the financial markets dried up. While 6% offered deferred billing in September 2007, just 5% did this past September.